Are you in a time of transition right now? Your Heavenly Father wants to encourage and empower you. He has you in the palm of His hand.

Transition means change—it signifies that there is something to leave behind and something to look forward to. [1]

And as a “middle ground”, a transition can be a time of frustration and waiting—it may also be a period of grieving for that which we leave behind.
When we do not see the future clearly, our faith is being challenged and our trust in God tested.

Still, He says, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” (Isaiah 49:16, NIV)

God is with you and for you. He knows the future and has already mapped out and lined up what needs to take place in order for you to reach your destination.

40 Days, 3 Benefits of Transition

“After his suffering, [Jesus] presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3)

Jesus used the time between His resurrection and ascension to prepare His followers for what was to come. And this period contains a vital message for us about the value that God places on transition!

1. God Gives us the Time we Need to Adjust and Release the Past

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Cor 1:3,4)

When Jesus told His disciples that He would be leaving them, their hearts were troubled. (John 14:1) After the emotional lows and highs of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, He gave His followers 40 more days of personal fellowship with Him.

This time enabled them to adjust—to release their expectations of the past and embrace God’s agenda.

Our Father, in His wisdom, appoints transition as a time for us to process what is taking place. He gives us the time we need to grieve, whilst pointing to what is to come. During these times, we know Him as our Comforter, Father, and Friend.

2. Transition is an Invitation to Intimacy with God

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Rev 3:20)

During the 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, He spent time communing with His followers—over meals and at appointed places. (Matt 28:16, Acts 1:3-4)

Luke mentions that Jesus spoke about things “pertaining to the Kingdom of God” during these times together. (Acts 1:3) Jesus’ closing remarks in the Gospels and in Acts 1 give us the highlights of His message at that time. And yet there is a veil of privacy over most of these discussions.

What would we have heard if we had been there? Luke’s tantalizing reference to conversations with the risen Christ is an invitation from God to us, so we can hunger for our own closeness to Jesus.

Times of transition are an invitation from our Heavenly Father to spend time with Him. Right now, the things we are entering into have not yet fully opened up. We have a greater felt need to hear from God and understand His purposes. So, He invites us to have private conversations—to look upon His face and to know Him as never before.

3. Transition is Preparation for the New Thing God is Doing

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” (Acts 2:1)

Prior to Jesus’ crucifixion, His followers were unable to comprehend the Father’s purpose for Jesus’ death and resurrection.

During these 40 days, they now had a post-resurrection perspective. Jesus took time with them to explain the Father’s plans for the expansion of His Kingdom.

The outcome of this period was that this small group of believers and Apostles were positioned for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. They were prepared for the birth of the Church and the mission ahead of them.

Transition is not a place to get stuck—it heralds the fact that the ‘new’ thing God is doing is on its way.

Greater fruitfulness is up ahead!

And this is the time to get God’s perspective on what you are going through.
Jesus wants to prepare you for what your Father has ahead and what He will do in His Kingdom through you. So, be assured that God is in control of the times and seasons in your life and in His Kingdom.

But wait, there is more!
You are about to receive delivery of God’s Heavenly supply for the new season, along with a fresh infilling of His Holy Spirit.

Notes:

[1] Transition: ‘The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.’ http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/transition

[2] For more encouragement about transition, the following posts will be helpful:

• In Transition? Take the Next Small Step
• 4 Signs You Are In Transition In Your Gift, Role, Or Ministry

© Helen Calder, Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

Enliven Ministries: Prophetic ministry for a revival generation

Helen Calder

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.